The Italian gothic horror cinema of the '60s was hypnotically beautiful. Luminous fogs rolled through graveyards. Elegant tracking shots pulled us down musty subterranean passages. Crypt doors exploded and witches were burned at the stake while they swore vengeance. With a rich, baroque visual style that recalled silent cinema, Italian gothic horror spoke of repressed desires and ominous dark powers that lurked in the shadows.

Join us in the following group of articles as we examine the films and filmmakers that made Italian gothic horror one of the most exciting forms of horror cinema.

An Introduction
This introduction gives you a brief overview of Italian horror, its key films, and its major filmmakers.

Mario Bava
Alain Silver and James Ursini examine the artistry of Mario Bava.[Plus, see animated GIFs of scenes from Black Sunday, What, and Hercules in the Haunted World]